Loud laughter filled the air as five teens sat at a water fountain in the center of Castelia city. Four of them the cause of the loudness while the other sat with a slight scowl staring at his Casteliacone. He felt like a third wheel - to both the groups! Would this situation make him a third wheel by number depending on the group, or a fifth wheel by math?

A sharp poke to his shoulder made the bluenette turn to scowl at his friends.

"Cheer up, Hyuu." Mei smiled as she hunched over slightly. She, her twin Kyouhei, his girlfriend Yancy, and her friend Curtis were all sitting on the ledge of the fountain. While Over Hyuu was on the ground leaning against the stone work of the centerpiece of the park.

"Plus," Curtis barged into conversation, though his tone was soft like he didn't know if he should talk or not. "your cone is melting."

Hyuu gave a deep sigh as he took a bite from the soft serve cream. Yeah it was kind of refreshing for the day, he guessed.

"Besides," Kyouhei smirked as he nudged Hyuu with his shoe. "Sir Qwilfish boy said he needed to ask someone something." The comment had two of the group laughing. However Mei flinched as though she had be struck and Hyuu turned away grumbling profanities. Then Curtis kind of looked over everyone as though he was now the third or fifth wheel.

To everyone's surprise Mei got up and began to swiftly walk away. "I-I'll catch up later." she said and tossed half of her cone away in a near by garbage can. She was stiff and told herself she couldn't think of what was to come.

"What…. Was that all about?" Yanacy asked blinking her large Deerling like eyes as she looked over everyone. Kyouhei shrugged, Curtis blinked slowly watching her disappear into the crowd, and Hyuu stood, about to go after her, but her stopped himself. His own nearly melted cone was on the ground now. The hot asphalt making the once ice cream into a puddle quicker than before.

"I'm sure she's fine." Kyouhei said waving it off. Though, unknown to everyone else, he was extremely worried. Ever since the downfall of team Plasma he figured Mei was going to be around so much more often. Though it was the exact opposite. Sneaking out at night, day dreaming at the worst of times… If anyone knew Mei, it was Kyouhei. Though he couldn't bring himself to tell the others his concerns. He figured she was just trying to deal with the fact they were really gone this time and she needed space.

As soon as she was out of her friend's sights Mei turned the corner and sat next to one of the many large skyscrapers around her. Hugging her knees she shook her head. She thought she knew what she wanted, but now… She had no idea.

Forcefully blinking her eyes she shook her head. An idea came to mind and she pulled out a pokeball. If anyone would have any advice for the confused girl, it would be her…

A deep exhale of air sounded as she pulled her shaky hand up to let out her trusted pokemon. The Bravery which appeared from it's pokeball stretched his wings wide. Each side of the tips of his feathers were touching either side of the buildings near them.

As the pokemon came into sight, a smile resembling a sad one lifted Mei's lips. Hugging her pokemon she exhaled slowly trying to keep her tears in. Her pokemon were the only ones who she could truly confide in.

"Hey big guy…" Her fingers smoothed down the proud pokemon's feathers in which her fingers ruffled, as she released the hug.

"Mind taking me home a bit early?" She smiled as he cooed gently, tapping the underside of his beak atop of Mei's head before leaning down so she could crawl upon his back.

Once the city of Castelia was behind them, was when Mei allowed herself to tear up, though she didn't cry. She couldn't do so, this was her choice after all. Blinking away her tears she leaned against Bravery as he flew back to her home town. The flight itself was at least a few hours, though she didn't much mind. The swirling winds around her helped soothe the ache in her chest, if only temporarily.

As soon as they landed, Mei returned Bravery with a thanks before placing the pokeball back into her bag. There was a bit of hesitation but she opened the door and announced she was back.

Most would think it would be easy to hide a secret, many of these little hidden gems are the innocent child like ones of I like so and so… But this was tearing her apart, bit by bit. Every day was yet another struggle, and Mei blinked. The table was set already. She had noticed it too but her mother had been stressing out as well.

At least it distracted the woman from noticing Mei's own stress. "Mom?" She called dropping her bag by the door and slipping off her running shoes.

"In the kitchen!" She heard as a reply and turned towards the sound. If she was cooking there probably wouldn't be any trouble asking a question which should give her away. Her mother was always too focused on her cooking - making sure everything is perfect and what not.

Walking in, Mei watched for a while as her mom prepared all sorts of food. It was like she was preparing for an army, but then again with everyone's pokemon, it sort of was. There was never any leftovers, and the few scraps which were left usually were swiped early on into a lunch box for the next day.

Giving a small hum, Mei attempted to swallow the rising bile in her throat as she attempted to calm how her heart rate which had suddenly picked up. "C-can I ask you something?" A small mental curse flew after the stuttered words, and her mother nodded, barely paying attention.

"Sure thing honey." Not suspicious at all. "What do you want your dear ol' mom to inform you in." It was a bit of a joke between them, but today Mei couldn't bring the smile to her lips. The pain in knowing what to come was just too much. The the fact she didn't smile had her mother on high alert, but she didn't stop stirring the sauce for their meal.

"Well… There's someone-" Altogether the movement stopped and Mei found herself facing her mother. A bewildered look in her eyes as she suddenly scooped her into a hug.

"Oh really!? Is it Hyuu… Or maybe the shy little thing who you met when you found his dropped item! Oh Mei whoever it is I'm sure everyone will like him-or… Is it a her?"

"Mom-" Mei complained but this random banter was actually heart lifting… Most of it. "I'm just asking you a little question you don't need to flip out on me like this. And No, it's not Hyuu, or Curtis." She pulled out of the Beartic hug and looked to her mom.

"I'm just saying I'm not sure I know him well enough to be in a relationship… I was wondering what advice you could give." She swallowed. It was easier to say than she thought…

"Well," Her mom stood up straighter and went back to stirring, keeping the sauce from burning. She was not longer suspicious, but more so happy and a bit carefree. "I would personally say if you feel you want to be with this person, give it a go." Nodding, as though agreeing with herself she continued.

"And if you have a falling out, you've always got me, ice cream, and chick flicks to come home to." A wide smile appeared over her face, reaching her eyes and Mei couldn't stop the tears this time. Hugging her mom like she never had before, she hugged her tightly and didn't let go for a while. A bit of a muttered thanks falling from her lips every so often, even though Mei knew, she couldn't come back if she left.

No one would have imaged the girl's who's smile resembled the sun itself, would falter and fall.